Does Al-Shara’a Participate in UN Meetings Despite Sanctions?

Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shara’a is scheduled to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this month, raising questions about how he would enter the United States despite the international sanctions imposed on him.

Background of Sanctions and US Policy Shifts

The administration of the US President Donald Trump had removed Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham—Formerly led by Al-Shar’—from the list of “Foreign Terrorist Organizations.” In July 2025, Washington pushed for a review of the sanctions imposed on Syria, including those against Al-Shar’a, as part of support for the Syrian Interim Government in its fight against extremist groups.

US Commitment and the Headquarters Agreement

The 1947 Headquarters Agreement obligates the United States to allow representatives of UN member states to enter its territory. However, in cases involving officials under international sanctions, entry requires a special exemption approved by the Security Council Sanctions Committee.

Travel Ban Exemption Mechanism

• Security Council Resolution 2734 (2024) maintained a mechanism allowing for the issuance of specific travel ban exemptions.
• Requests are typically submitted at least 15 working days in advance, while urgent cases are processed within 24 hours.
• Al-Shar’a has obtained multiple temporary exemptions for foreign visits this year, but so far, no official exemption has been announced permitting his travel to New York.

Diplomatic Immunity Is Not Sufficient

Al-Shar’a enjoys immunity as a head of state under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and holds a diplomatic passport that facilitates his movement. However, these privileges do not override UN sanctions, which remain in effect unless an official special exemption is granted.

The Legal-Political Equation

If Al-Shar’ attends the UN meetings, it will not constitute a breach of sanctions but rather result from an exceptional legal mechanism that balances compliance with international sanctions while ensuring Syria’s representation in one of the world’s most important diplomatic forums.